Teen Night in Rochester continues to grow in popularity

ROCHESTER — Over the past three years, Teen Night at the Community Center has continued to grow in popularity.

Once a month from October to May, teens are invited to a night of dancing, dodge ball, basketball and crafts — drug and alcohol free.

Put together by the city’s Recreation Department, Rochester Police Department and Juvenile Diversion Program and Bridging the Gaps Coalition, the goal of the event is to provide a safe place for teens to be on a Saturday night.

“We have tripled in size since we started three years ago,” said Juvenile Diversion Coordinator Nicole Rodler.

During its first year, the center saw an average of 68 teens each month. Last year, they saw 180 and this school year, they are averaging 260 teens a month. Last month, the center hosted its largest event yet with 335 teens.

Anne May, assistant director of the Rochester Recreation Department said the reason for the jump in attendees has not been specifically identified, but she believes it is because it is a fun event and friends are starting to tell friends about it. This past Saturday, Frisbees®, basketballs and dodge balls were being thrown across the gym while other teens made Valentine’s Day cards, danced or talked in groups throughout the building.

The event is not just limited to Rochester teens. May has seen teens from Farmington, Barrington, Dover, Ossipee and Somersworth come through.

The rules are simple. The doors open at 6 p.m., bags are checked, teens must sign in and out, wear appropriate clothing and cannot bring alcohol or drugs onto the premises.

“It’s fun,” said Rochester Police Officer Tracy Hayes. “We’re giving kids a place where they can come on a Saturday night.”

All supervisors are police, Bridging the Gaps and recreation department employees. Food is donated by local businesses.

“Unfortunately, in Rochester, there isn’t a whole lot to do as a teen,” Hayes said. “We are here for the kids, making sure it is a safe, fun environment where parents can feel safe dropping their kids off.”

Hayes said if the Teen Night did not exist, it does not mean all the teens who come would otherwise be causing trouble, but the number of crimes could potentially be higher without the program.

“Kids, when they are not here, and have nothing to do, sometimes they just start causing trouble,” she said. “We don’t necessarily think these are bad kids, the night is just something special for the community, to bring them together.”

Rodler said when she first started to work in Rochester, she saw an increase in crimes on the weekend involving teens.

“When they come to this event, they are not only having fun and are safe, but when you provide adult mentors for them like we do here, it just gives them the extra support they need,” she said.

Rodler also said providing free food to them is important in ensuring that no one is hungry on the weekend.

As far as issues at the center itself during the events, May said they have been “few and far between.”

”If there are any issues, they have all been resolved by pulling them into the office and talking with those involved,” she said.

The next Teen Night will be Saturday, March 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Community Center.